Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4573, 16 November 1875, Page 2

In accordance with a notice issued by the Education Board, a meeting was held at Pahautanui, on Saturday evening last, of the ratepayers and parents of children, for the purpose of electing a Local School Committee. The meeting was well attended. Mr. Goldfinch was elected as chairman; and after he had read the notice explaining the object of the meeting, the nomination of the committee was proceeded with, and the following gentlemen were returned, Messrs. Galloway, Goldfinch, Boulton, Stace, and Jones. We learn that it is reportedfrom Taupo that about 100 Waikato Natives have threatened a hostile visit to Tokano (a settlement at the south end of the Lake) to obtain utu for the desecration of the graves of some of their relatives by the Taupo natives. Tokano is in some excitement, and the natives there are sending to their friends for help. It is said to be most likely that the Waikatos will content themselves with performing a war dance and firing their guns over the desecrated graves. Some three or four days ago a rumor readied Wellington that considerable anxiety was felt at Home as to the non-arrival of the ship The Douglas, bound from San Francisco to England, and well known here, having been in Port Nicholson more than once; but as there was no mention of it in our recent mail items, and as we were not in any way able to substantiate the rumor, wo forbore its publication. As since then we have no further information on the point, we hope yet to hear that the good ship The Douglas has arrived safely at her destination.

Beniamin H. Solomon, who was arrested last Sunday on a charge of forgery, was brought up at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning. The evidence of one witness was taken, and then the case was adjourned for a week, prisoner obtaining the bail allowed, namely, to bind himself over in the sum of £SOO, and to find two sureties of £250 each. There was an excellent house at the Theatre Koyal last night, but not more excellent than the undoubted merits of the entertainment presented deserved. Mr. E. D. Davies, whose reputation as a ventriloquist had preceded him, made his first appearance. The reputation of some performers often terminates with their first appearance in a town, but such cannot be said to be the case with the gentleman under notice, for it is a simple fact that everyone in the theatre last night felt that until they had heard Mr, Davies they had never heard ventriloquism at its best. This gentleman is so far beyond anyone in his line that has preceded him, that when listening to him the efforts of previous ventriloquists fade into insignificance. His powers are so extensive, his humor so rich, and his command of dialect so complete, that when he apparently has half-a-dozen people in conversation on the stage the voice and accent of each comes out strong and marked, whilst their language keeps the audience in a perpetual roar of laughter. Mr. Davies was applauded to the echo last night, and it is evident that he has a long and successful season before him. Mr. Davies' entertainment was preceded by a variety performance, in which Miss Empson, the possessor of a very fine voice, secured the unmistakeablo favor of the audience. The evening was brought to a close by the burlesque “ Little Don Giovanni,” which cannot be chronicled as an overwhelming success. '

Of eight seamen who deserted from the ship Herschel, six have been captured and taken on board their ship. Sweet-briar bushes have so overgrown the town of Gisborne that the Road Board has had to employ men to cut them down and root them out.

A recent number of the Timaru Herald contains an item amusing, even if not of pregnant interest. The item is as follows :—“ The best political joke we have heard for a long time comes from Christchurch. Sir George Grey, on his way back from Otago, met the member for Timaru in the Club. ‘ Well Stafford,’ said his ex-Excellency, ‘ what do you think of our banquet V ‘ I think, Sir George,’ replied the arch-abolitionist, ‘that you did well to eat, drink, and be merry, for to-morrow you die.’ ” On Saturday afternoon the funeral of the late Mrs. London, of Pahautanni, took place, and was attended by a large number of the settlers, there being about sixty persons present. The burial service was read in a very impressive manner by the Rev. Mr. Newth, the Church of England minister for the distinct. Deceased was the widow of the late Mr. Heury London, who died about four or five years ago.